David m



(No Model.)

D. M, HEMINGWAY.

` FLOOD GATE. Y N0. 256',680. Patented Apr. A18, 1882.

N. PETERS Phuin-Lihraphw. Wishinginn. Dy C4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID M. HEMINGWAY, 0F NEWPOIt/, MISSISSIPPI.

i-'LooD-eAT/Eg"l SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,680, dated April 18, 1882;

Application tiled December 12, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatV I, DAVID M. HEMING- WAY, ofNewport, in the county of Attala, and in the State ot' Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flood-Gates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters ot' reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in flood-gates; and it has for its objects to provide certain means whereby the gates will be automatically opened in case of an unusual pressure or quantity of water and rer lieve the race, as `inore fully hereinafter specified. These objects I attain by the apparatus illustrated iii the Aaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l represents a, perspective view ot' my improved iiood-gate, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the saine.

The letter A indicates a portion of the race, and B the head-gate, which is pivoted so as to'swing freely upon a transverse rod,`Cand which abuts at its lower end against a transverse benin, D,`secured to the bottom 0I' the race. This gate has a board along its upper edge, hinged or otherwise Hexibly connected theretoor to the standard E, which may be raised from the gate proper when it is desired to allow the water to escape before it rises sut'-V -ticiently high to pass over the upper part of said auxiliary board.

The letter E indicates a vertical standard forming partrol'" the' gate B, the said standard being provided with an angular notch, F, at its upper edge.

The letter G indicates a gate pivoted to a transverse rod, H,below the gateB, and Ia guide secured to one side ot' said gate, for the purpose more fully hereinafter speeilied. The gate B is ot' such height that when closed, or in its normal position, the water will iiow over its upper edge, and the gate Gis elevated suf tciently above tho bottom of the race to permit the ordinary volume of water passing through the race to escape underit. Y The gates B and Gare connected by a chain or cord, K, which passes Vunder the guidel and over the notched portion ot the standard E, the said cord being detachably secured to a pin, L, drivenvin the vgate I3.x The function of the guide or block I is to take up 4the slack of the cord K when the gates are in a horizontal position, the distance between the termini of the cord then being less than when the gates are in their normal position, and also to make the draw of the cord or chain at an angle to the standard E.

'Ihe operation of my improved Hood-gate is as follows: As long as the pressure or volume of water is in a normal condition the water will pass over the head-gate and escape under vthe other gate. In case of a flood or an unusual volume or pressure of water, the lower gate will be pressed outward, opening the headegate and permitting the excess ot' water to escape.

In caseit is desired to keep the head-gate closedv `and unaffected by the pressure ot' the t water, the ropeY may be detached, so that it will not be opera-ted by the lower gate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

The combination, with the head-gate and "its notched standard, hinged in the race, as described, ot the lower gate, similarly hinged, and provided with a suitable guide, and the connecting rope or chain, the whole adapted to operate substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 15th day of October, 1881.

DAVID M. HEMINGWAY.

Witnesses W. T. BROWN, M. V. WYNN. 

